How the Astrodome helped to de-segregate Houston in one day

Construction broke ground in 1964 on the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. Here some local officials celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony. Richard Pipes / Houston Chronicle

Construction broke ground in 1964 on the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. Here some local officials celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony. Richard Pipes / Houston Chronicle

Photo: Richard Pipes / Houston Chronicle

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Pictured is a detail shot of Ed Henderson's original Astroworld model he created in 1967. The park opened in 1968.

Pictured is a detail shot of Ed Henderson's original Astroworld model he created in 1967. The park opened in 1968.

Photo: Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle

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Wives of new astronauts Alan L. Bean and Charles A. Bassett II are pictured in 1964 touring homes hosted by city of Clear Lake officials for spouses of NASA employees. The tour included a sampling of Texas foods at the Clear Lake Country Club. less

Wives of new astronauts Alan L. Bean and Charles A. Bassett II are pictured in 1964 touring homes hosted by city of Clear Lake officials for spouses of NASA employees. The tour included a sampling of Texas ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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The Beatles performed at the Coliseum in Houston Aug. 19, 1965, and clearly these women were just a little excited.

The Beatles performed at the Coliseum in Houston Aug. 19, 1965, and clearly these women were just a little excited.

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The Beatles - Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starkey - spoke at a press conference at the Sheraton Lincoln before their performance at the Coliseum, Aug. 19, 1965.

The Beatles - Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starkey - spoke at a press conference at the Sheraton Lincoln before their performance at the Coliseum, Aug. 19, 1965.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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The University of Houston transitioned from a private institution to a member of Texas' higher education system in 1963. Pictured is the university's first Board of Regents.

The University of Houston transitioned from a private institution to a member of Texas' higher education system in 1963. Pictured is the university's first Board of Regents.

Photo: The University of Houston

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In 1961, Hurricane Carla swept through Galveston and Houston. Pictured is some wreckage in Downtown Houston.

In 1961, Hurricane Carla swept through Galveston and Houston. Pictured is some wreckage in Downtown Houston.

March 4, 1960 sit-in at Weingarten supermarket located at 4110 Almeda. These were TSU students. Harold L. Stovall is gentleman with glasses and hat. Halcyon Sadberry Watkins shown on right was a 20 year old TSU student when she sat at the counter. Pete Hogrobrooks is reading Time magazine at the far right. staff / Houston Post HOUCHRON CAPTION (02/04/1998): In the early '60s, Houston students began a quiet fight against segregation through peaceful sit-ins, such as this one at a Weingarten's lunch counter. They feared a violent backlash like those in other Southern cities. To their surprise, it never came. HOUCHRON CAPTION (12/22/2002): In the early 1960s, students in Houston began a peaceful fight against segregation through sit-ins such as this one at a Weingarten's lunch counter. OUTLOOK. less

March 4, 1960 sit-in at Weingarten supermarket located at 4110 Almeda. These were TSU students. Harold L. Stovall is gentleman with glasses and hat. Halcyon Sadberry Watkins shown on right was a 20 year old ... more

Colt .45 President Roy Hofheinz, right, is pictured showing National League president Warren Giles some features of the Astrodome, September 1964. HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/06/1964): NATIONAL LEAGUE PRESIDENT WARREN GILES INSPECTS DOMED STADIUM. Colt .45 President Roy Hofheinz, Right, Points Out One of Interesting Features less

Colt .45 President Roy Hofheinz, right, is pictured showing National League president Warren Giles some features of the Astrodome, September 1964. HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/06/1964): NATIONAL LEAGUE PRESIDENT ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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In the '60s, people also tried to escape Houston's hot summers. Pictured are children lining up at downtown Houston’s air conditioned Iris Theater for a summer “Vacation Day Party.” The sign promises “free peanuts, free street car ride, free show for children 12 and under and "Every seat is a cool retreat." The Iris, located at the present site of the Chase Tower, opened in 1919 and was demolished in 1965. less

In the '60s, people also tried to escape Houston's hot summers. Pictured are children lining up at downtown Houston’s air conditioned Iris Theater for a summer “Vacation Day Party.” The sign promises ... more

Photo: Cecil Thomson Studios / San Jacinto Museum of History As

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Pictured is the Hofheinz family looks over a model of Astroworld in 1967. From left, Roy Hofheinz and his children, Dene Hofheinz Mann, Roy Hofheinz Jr., and Fred Hofheinz.

Pictured is the Hofheinz family looks over a model of Astroworld in 1967. From left, Roy Hofheinz and his children, Dene Hofheinz Mann, Roy Hofheinz Jr., and Fred Hofheinz.

Photo: Tom Colburn / Houston Chronicle

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The Houston Intercontinental Airport (now the Bush Intercontinental Airport) hosted its open house June 1. 1969, and it featured a Goodyear blimp and Navy Blue Angels.

The Houston Intercontinental Airport (now the Bush Intercontinental Airport) hosted its open house June 1. 1969, and it featured a Goodyear blimp and Navy Blue Angels.

Photo: Jim Coker / Houston Chronicle

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U.S. Senate candidate George Bush officially opens his state-wide campaign at a rally held in the Music Hall in September 1964.

U.S. Senate candidate George Bush officially opens his state-wide campaign at a rally held in the Music Hall in September 1964.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Guest conductor for the Houston Symphony season's Dollar Concert, Andre Previn, pauses for a photograph during a tour of Jones Hall following morning rehearsal, December 1965. To Previn's right, the orchestra pit and stage of the new hall are partially visible through a break in the scaffolding. Previn will conduct the Symphony in several perfomrances this season, including the Chronicle's Dollar concert, Dec. 18, 1965. less

Guest conductor for the Houston Symphony season's Dollar Concert, Andre Previn, pauses for a photograph during a tour of Jones Hall following morning rehearsal, December 1965. To Previn's right, the orchestra ... more

Photo: Tom Colburn / Houston Chronicle

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Large crowds lined the streets of downtown Houston waiting to greet Pres. John F. Kennedy and his motorcade in November 1963. University of Houston Phi Kappa Theta fraternity members joined the crowd outside the Rice Hotel to greet their fraternal alumni brother, Pres. Kennedy. less

Large crowds lined the streets of downtown Houston waiting to greet Pres. John F. Kennedy and his motorcade in November 1963. University of Houston Phi Kappa Theta fraternity members joined the crowd outside ... more

The idea of air-conditioned clothing long intrigued man, with results like the far-fetched application at the left. It wasn't until the arrival of the space age that the idea finally became a reality. Col. John Glenn models a space suit air-conditioned by the electric unit in his right hand in 1964. less

The idea of air-conditioned clothing long intrigued man, with results like the far-fetched application at the left. It wasn't until the arrival of the space age that the idea finally became a reality. Col. ... more

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After months of expensive damage and site preparation work at the Clear Lake site of the Manned Spacecraft Center, the buildings go up in 1963. The water tower marks the center of the site which is expected to have a daily working population of 10,000 persons by the end of 1965. At left foreground is the steel framework for the firehouse. Between it and the water tower is the framework for the central heating and cooling plant. The foundation for the cooling tower may be seen near the plant structure. less

After months of expensive damage and site preparation work at the Clear Lake site of the Manned Spacecraft Center, the buildings go up in 1963. The water tower marks the center of the site which is expected to ... more

Photo: Owen Johnson / Houston Chronicle

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Before it was named the Johnson Space Center, the Manned Spacecraft Center broke ground and was under construction in this 1964 aerial.

Before it was named the Johnson Space Center, the Manned Spacecraft Center broke ground and was under construction in this 1964 aerial.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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During the Civil Rights movement, demonstrators participated in sit-ins like the one pictured at the Union Station coffee shop in Houston in February 1961. Twelve Demonstrators were arrested.

During the Civil Rights movement, demonstrators participated in sit-ins like the one pictured at the Union Station coffee shop in Houston in February 1961. Twelve Demonstrators were arrested.

In the '60s, the Houston Chronicle sponsored dollar concerts at the Coliseum. Pictured is a Halloween concert in 1964.

In the '60s, the Houston Chronicle sponsored dollar concerts at the Coliseum. Pictured is a Halloween concert in 1964.

Photo: Frank Grizzaffi / Houston Chronicle

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How the Astrodome helped to de-segregate Houston in one day

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I’m 37 years old and I’ve never met a racist.

I have however, met plenty of non-racists. You know the profile: people chase “I’m not a racist….” with the word “but.”

Like an acquaintance who joked at a party about solving the immigration problem by “shooting them all;” or the commenter on my blog last week who wants land-mines on the border to keep “them” out (NOTE TO READERS: Landmines kill people indiscriminately). Or the reader I met in the library who was proud to tell me about his concealed-carry permit because “they’re taking over our neighborhood.”

The non-racist is quick to point out how non-racist they are by cloaking themselves in the superficial: stats, relationships, co-workers, church, history, etc… How can anyone be racist in our day and age, we’re living in a post-racial society!

But are we truly living in a post-racial world?

Evangelical Michael Emerson from Rice University speaks to the incredible fluidity of racialization in US history. It seems to have near infinite capacity to adapt into new expressions and coded practices. In the formative years of our nation racialization led to extermination policies of First Nations peoples and legalized enslavement of Africans forcibly migrated. Racialization adapted under Jim Crow segregation to take a new form: the suffocating lies of “separate but equal,” cross burnings, Christian white supremacy, “white only” establishments and public lynchings. During the civil rights era racialization morphed yet again into white tactics of hostile blockade, silence and subtle calls to “slow down.” J. Edgar Hoover falsified documents and spread the lie that MLK Jr. was a communist not to be trusted.

Yesterday morning in his lecture at Healing the Brokenness Reverend William Lawson humbly told how he himself was reluctant to join the civil rights movement, and only did by “accident.” When in 1960 MLK finally did come to Houston, he could not find a pulpit anywhere that welcomed him.

And now? Now you can’t find a city across the country which hasn’t honored (deified?) his memory with a Boulevard, or memorial in some way.

What changed?

MONEY TALKS
Lawson told the fascinating behind the scenes story of how Houston, unlike any other major city, desegregated in one day. In closed door meetings in the then segregated Rice Hotel, business, religious, media and civic leaders from the black and white community met to address what could be done to ensure riots didn’t come to Houston as they had to Birmingham and other cities.

It was here, without conflict, force or fight it was decided Houston would de-segregate in one day. The decision wasn’t made on moral grounds, as if racism were wrong.

Instead, it was pointed out Houston was becoming boomtown USA- our reputation would be stained irreparably by riots. NASA, the ship channel expansion, and the Astrodome – the 8th Wonder of the World – had all just arrived in Houston and were altering world opinion.

So no, not for moral reasons. It was pure business decision to quietly, without fanfare, de-segregate Houston. On an agreed upon day, the “white only” signs simply disappeared. White children hopped onto de-segregated buses and found themselves finally free to sit in the back to look out those huge windows. Black woman could browse in Foley’s and even try on that dress which had caught their eye.

Yes O yes, if racism couldn’t be cured in our hearts, perhaps it could be cured in our pocketbooks. Glory!

Which of course is a much more likely explanation than the miraculous story my non-racist conservative friends expect me to believe: that racism could magically disappear from conservative white churches, people and institutions though they intentionally fought or resisted integration, never openly repented from hateful theological and cultural beliefs that led to conscious, unmotivated animus towards people of other races, and had diversity legislatively thrust upon them.

It also allows for their to be room for racism to have morphed yet again. Reverend Lawson mentioned three ways racialization continues to account for deeply ingrained patterns of privilege and inequality: Incarceration, Gentrification, and Criminal Justice. A powerful call of the brokenness yet to be confronted.

In other words, it still exists. But yes, it looks radically different.

So maybe its time to drop the word “racist” from our vocabulary. After all, I’ve never met one anyway (wink, wink). Which is why Emerson and others have begun to use the phrase “racialization.”

Here’s another suggestion, from author Chimamanda Adiche in her new book Americanah (review forthcoming):

Let’s stop accusing each other of being racist and start talking about “Racial Disorder Syndrome” to differentiate between classic individual acts of racism (cross burnings, using the “N” word, etc….) and how race works in America today. Your diagnosis may be mild, medium, or acute.